Manar Abu Dhabi 2025: 'The Light Compass' Returns with Expanded Reach
Manar Abu Dhabi, an enchanting public light art exhibition, is set to return from November 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026. This year's edition, themed 'The Light Compass', will explore light as both a guide and a medium in art and culture. The exhibition will feature over 19 newly commissioned works, site-specific light sculptures, and immersive installations by both Emirati and international artists.
For the first time, the exhibition will extend to Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with installations in Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases. Select installations in Al Ain will open from November 1, 2025, coinciding with the city's Traditional Handicrafts Festival. The exhibition will be curated by Khai Hori (Artistic Director), Alia Zaal Lootah, Munira Al Sayegh, and Mariam Alshehhi (Assistant Curator).
In Abu Dhabi, Jubail Island will serve as the main stage for the exhibition. Manar Abu Dhabi will unfold across varied landscapes, including mangroves, sandbanks, gardens, and urban edges. The vibrant public programme will include talks, workshops, and performances, allowing visitors to engage with the art and artists.
Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 promises to be a stunning visual experience, drawing upon the Gulf's ancestral relationship with light. With its expanded reach to Al Ain and diverse range of installations, this year's exhibition is not to be missed.
